Tag Archives: Skittles

Skittles Three

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So, we know it was the nickname for a famous courtesan and we know it is the name of a game that is similar to ten pin bowling.  But there is a third item in the Skittles series…  What we here in the UK call sweets, and what people in the US call candies.

So here are some Skittles facts that you may not have known:

1.  Skittles are made by Wrigley, an American company, now part of Mars.

2.  Skittles were launched in the US in 1979 (although not made there until 1982).

3.  The original flavours were Orange, Lemon, Lime, Grape and Strawberry.

4.  In the UK, bags of Skittles come in three flavours: Fruits, Crazy Sours and Confused.  The packs are either Fruits or Crazy Sours.

5.  There are 404kcal per 100g of Skittles.  Oops!

6.  In the States there are oodles more flavours available, including Tropical, Wild Berry and Sour.

7.  More than 200 million Skittles are manufactured on a daily basis.

8.  New varieties of Skittles were introduced in the US – Tropical Skittles (eg Banana, Kiwi, Mango) and Wild Berry (Raspberry, Strawberry and Wild Cherry).

9.  In 2004 in the States, Skittles Bubble Gum was launched.

10.  If you want more flavours, best you go to the States!

Happy eating!

©Susan Shirley 2013

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Skittles – One – Catherine Walters

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A few weeks ago, my brother, his wife and I went on an organised London Walk, led by a tour guide.  We all like walking, and I am interested in history, so it ticked a few boxes and was actually good fun, so I’ll be doing more of those.

Whilst on the walk, we passed the house where a woman known as Skittles used to live.  Skittles, aka Catherine Walters, who was one of the last great courtesans of the Victorian Era.

Maybe it’s because I’ve met a few over the years, but I find the whole prostitution thing quite interesting.  I don’t mean the ones who are sold into slavery and forced to perform, or the drug addicts that sell their bodies as a means to fund their habit.  No, not them, I mean the ones, like Skittles, who made money and kept it.

Skittles herself (believed to have been given that nickname because she once worked in a bowling alley) moved to London just before she was 20.  By all accounts, she was great beauty, and a skilled horsewoman – Sir Edwin Landseer’s painting The Shrew Tamed depicts her lying down with a horse.

Catherine counted among her lovers the Prince of Wales (who went on to become Edward VII), Napoleon III, the 8th Duke of Devonshire (although he didn’t have this title at the time, he was the Marquess of Huntingdon) and Achille Fould (the French Finance Minister).  She was rumoured to be involved with a number of wealthy men, but she would never confirm or deny the rumours, but, because she would never confirm or deny, her “currency” as a courtesan increased.

Skittles retired from society in 1890, a wealthy woman, and she died at the grand old age of 81.  Not bad for a girl who was one of five children, born in Liverpool, daughter of a customs official!

©Susan Shirley 2013